Folding boat



B. F. RANDRUP 2,504,225

FOLDING BOAT April 18, 1950 Filed Oct. 14, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l A 7' TORNEV April 18, 1950 Filed 00'0- 14, 1946 B. F. RANDRUP FOLDING BOAT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

ATTORNEK April 18, 1950 B. F. RANDRUP FOLDING BOAT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct- 14, 1946 INVENTORT ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 18,. 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in folding boats.

An object of my invention is to provide a foldable boat easily collapsed and folded into a compact form for convenience in handling, storage and transportation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved portable folding boat having a, simple and durable construction, more especially designed for use by fishermen, campers, hunters and others, and arranged to fold into compact form for convenience in transportation over land or by automobile, and also arranged to be quickly set up when its use is desired.

A further object of my invention is to provide a folding boat of the kind characterized having a sturdy construction which permits the carrying of a heavy load in rough waters without danger of collapsing or capsizing.

This invention is an improvement on the folding boats disclosed in my Letters Patent No. 2,346,081, issued April 4, 1944 and No. 2,408,579 issued October 1, 1946.

Other and further objects of my invention will be pointed out hereinafter, indicated in the appended claims, or will be obvious to one skilled in the art upon an understanding of the present disclosure. For the purpose of this application I have elected to show herein certain forms and details of a folding boat representative of my invention; it is to be understood, however, that the embodiment of my invention herein shown and described is for the purpose of illustration only, and that therefore it is not to be regarded as exhaustive of the variations of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a folding boat embodying the principles of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a side perspective view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of the same;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the relative positions of those parts making up the boats rear end portion;

Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are sectional views taken on the lines as indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken transversely through the keel portion of the boat; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view showing the means joining a side and bottom members.

Referring to the drawings the numerals I and 2 designate two elongated bottom members which are flexibly connected together along their adjacent longitudinal side edges by an intervening strip 3 of waterproof fabric, such as canvas. The waterproof strip 3 is secured to the bottom members at their upper sides by riveted battens 5 or other suitable means. The flexible strip 3 is secured as by rivets 5 between a longitudinal keel member 5 and an overlying member 1. The keel member 6 is normally engaged at its opposite sides by the inner longitu-' dinal side edges of the bottom members I and 2 (see Fig. 10). Secured to the strip 3, as by rivets, are longitudinally arranged battens 8 which overlie the battens Underlying the keel member '6 and secured thereto as by the rivets 5, is a rigid lower member 9 which provides a support for the inner edges of the bottom members i and 2. The lower member 9 also provides protecting means for normally prevent ing damage to the keel portion of the boat when landings are made. The lower member being arranged with its lateral edges protruding outwardly for considerable distances from the keel member, normally prevents the side slipping of the boat. The bottom members are preferably made from fiat panels of plywood or other suitable material, and each is somewhat triangular in shape, but provided with an upwardly curved their rear ends are slightly inclined in op stantially triangular shaped elongated side mem posite directions from the keel portion, butproceeding forwardly they gradually assume positions of increased inclination while at the same time they gradually curve outwardly, upwardly and forwardly to form compound bends or slightly convex surfaces at points adjacent but rearwardly of a pointed bow ill.

Flexibly connected to the outer edges of the bottom-members l and 2, respectively, are subbers II and E2. The adjacent edges of the bottom and side members are connected together by wawrproof strips I3, and a substantially fiat longitudinal member I4 (Fig. 11') riveted to each of the said strips provides protecting means therefor. The flexible strips I3 are secured to the inner surfaces of the side and bottom members by riveted or otherwise suitably attached battens I5. The side and bottom members when in unfolded and set up positions are arranged so that the lower edge of each side member rests on its associated bottom member. The particular battens I5 which are secured to the bottom members I and 2 provide abutments to prevent the lower edges of the side members from engaging with the flexible strips I3. Such a flexible connecting means for the bottom and side members is well protected from damage from the outside as well as from the inside, and it still permits the folding of the members one upon another in a, satisfactory manner.

The stern of the boat comprises a flexible end member I5 of waterproof material such as canvas, having a substantially rectangular shape. The lateral and lower edges of the flexible end member I6 is secured to the bottom members I and 2 and to the side members I I and I2 by rivet ed, glued or otherwise secured battens or other suitable means.

Hinged to the rear end of the side member II is a rigid rear panel I! which is of sufficient length to extend approximately, but not entirely, across the rear end of the boat. Hinged to the rear end of the side member I2 is a rigid rear panel I8 which is also of sufficient length to extend apapproximately, but not entirely across the rear end of the boat. The panel IT has a substantially vertical shoulder I I near its hinged end with which the free end of the panel I8 engages, and similarly the panel I8 is provided with a substantially vertical shoulder I8 which is en-* gaged by the free end of the panel I'I. When setting the boat up the free end of the rear panel I1 is brought into engagement with the shoulder I8 of the panel I8 and the latter is then swung rearwardly to a position against the said rear panel II, thereby drawing the flexible rear member I6 taut. The rear panels I I and I8 are adapted to fold against the said members II and I2, respectively. When in extended positions the rear panels I! and I8 are preferably secured together by suitable means, as by bolt I9 and a nut 28, the bolt being provided with a hooked'end which is passed through slots in the said panels and then turned cross wise to a position where it engages with a bar I9a secured to the rear side of the panel Il before the wingnut is applied to clamp the rear panels together.

A rigid end panel 2| hinged as by a canvas strip 22 to the upper edge of the rear panel I8 is adapted to be swung rearwardly to a position at the rear of the flexible rear member I6. At the free edge of the end panel 2| is secured metal members 2I' which are adapted to engage with clips 23 secured at the rear ends of the bottom members I and 2, thereby normally maintaining the said end panel in fixed parallel relationship with respect to the rear panels I1 and I8, The end panel 2I protects the flexible rear member I6 and provides rigid means for mounting an outboard motor at the stern end of the boat. A metal plate 2Ia secured centrally to the outer side of the rear end panel 2| provides means for preventing damage to the exposed surface of the said panel when an outboard motor is mounted-thereon. a

Extending across the interior of the boat in engagement with the side and bottom members are a, plurality of rigid U-shaped ribs or frame members 24 which are held against displacement by pairs of opposed members 24 secured to the member I of the keel structure and the side members II and I2. The outer ends of the frame members 22 underlie horizontal U-shaped channel members 25 secured as by rivets to the side members I I and I2, and the said outer ends are normally in engaging relation with respect to the said channel members. Seats 25 are removably supported in the channel members 25, and at the rear end of the boat another seat is supported by cleats secured to the side members HI and I2. The seats 26 may be prevented from shifting forwardly or rearwardly as by pins extending through aligned holes in the channel members, the seat and the frame members.

A centrally disposed vertical brace 2? is positioned at the rear end of the boat with its rear end firmly engaging with the rear panel I8 and its forward end held against forward displacement by a hooked bar 28 fastened to the overlying member 'I of the keel portion of the boat, the said hooked bar engaging with a keeper 29 secured to the forward end of the brace (Fig. 9). The rear end of the brace 21 is provided with a bracket member 30 having an opening at its upper end through which the bolt I9 extends, the said bolt being arranged for preventing the lateral displacement of the said brace.

At opposite sides of the boat, on the side mem bers II and I2, are mounted sockets 3| for holding oar locks in operative positions.

The forward end of the boat is provided with a concave cowl which comprises two semi-rigid cowl sections 32 which are joined together by hinges. The lateral edges of the cowl sections curve inwardly and are arranged in adjacent or engaging positions with respect to the upper edges. of the forward ends of the bottom and side members II and I2. The lateral edges of the cowl sections are engaged by and are normally held against displacement with respect to the bottom and side members II and I2 by inwardly bent lugs 33 secured to the upper edges of the bottom and side members I I and I2. A board 34 hinged to the forward U-shaped frame member 24 underlies the rear ends of the cowl sections 32, the said board having an arcuate upper edge which is adapted to engage with the under side of the cowl sections to hold them in upwardly bent positions forming a concave cowl.

A canvas covering 35 extends around the pointed bow of the boat and over the forward apex of the cowl. Wooden strips 36 are secured to the rear portions of the bottom members I and 2 for preventing damage thereto when the boatis dragged from the water.

A. ring 37 secured to the bow of the boat provides means for attaching a mooring line.

When the boat is tobe collapsed for convenience in carrying, storage or handling, the cowl is first detached by swinging the board 34 downwardly to a disengaging position with respect to the cowl sections 32. When the tension or holding pressure on the cowl sections has thus been removed they are easily disengaged from the lugs 33 and lifted from the forward end of the boat. The seats 26 are next detached. The bolt I9 is then removed fromv an engaging position with respect to the end panels I'l and I8 and the bracket member 30 of the brace 21, following which the end panel 21 and the rear panels are swung outwardly to positions adjacent the side members H and I2.

The U-shaped frame members 24 are removed, thereby permitting the said members II and [2 to be folded inwardly against the bottom members l and 2, respectively. The bottom members I and 2 together with their connected side members are then folded inwardly toward each other.

tom members whatever curvatures they had when in set up positions will no longer remain after the various pressures are removed. Owing to the novel manner in which the various parts are arranged and connected together the time required to assemble the structure into an operable boat is but a few minutes. The particular manner in which the various pressures are distributed and applied to the assembled parts gives the boat a rigidity comparable to that of an uncollapsible type of boat, while at the same time there are no damaging strains or stresses present which are apt to weaken the structure at any point.

What I claim is:

1. In a folding boat, a pair of elongated bottom members flexibly connected longitudinally along adjacent sideedges, two elongated side members flexibly connected to the outwardly disposed longitudinal edges of the bottom members, the said side members each being arranged to fold upon its associated bottom member rigid frame members for holding the side and bottom members in unfolded relationship, rear end panels hinged to and foldable upon the side members, the said rear end panels when unfolded being arranged to extend across the rear end of the boat, a flexible rear end member enclosing the rear end of the boat, and a substantially rigid protector hinged to one of the end panels and arranged to be positioned externally against the rear surface of the flexible end member.

2. In a folding boat, a pair of elongated bottom members flexibly connected longitudinally along their adjacent side edges, two elongated side members flexibly connected to the outwardly disposed longitudinal edges of the bottom members, the said side members each being arranged to fold upon its associated bottom member, rigid frame members arranged to hold the side and bottom members unfolded, a flexible rear end member enclosing the rear end of the boat, a

rigid foldable rear end structure positioned forwardly of and adjacent the flexible rear end member, and a substantially rigid protector hinged to the rigid end structure and arranged to be positioned against the rear surface of the flexible end member.

3. In a folding boat, a pair of elongated bottom members flexibly connected longitudinally along their adjacent side edges, two elongated side members flexibly connected to the outwardly disposed longitudinal edges of the bottom members, the side members each being foldable against its associated bottom member, a plurality of rigid frame members interposed between the side and bottom members for maintaining them in unfolded positions, a flexible rear end member secured to the bottom and side members for enclosing the rear end of the boat, a rigid panel hinged to and foldable against each side member, the said panels being arranged to extend across the rear end of the boat in a position forwardly of the flexible rear end member, the said panels each having a shoulder adjacent its hinged end arranged for engagement by the free end of the other panel when the 'By reason of the flexibility of the side and botpanels are positioned across the .rear end of the boat, whereby the flexible rear end member may normally be maintained in a taut position.

4. In a folding boat as defined by claim 3, including a rigid protector hinged to one of the panels and arranged to extend transversely alongside the rear surface of the flexible rear end member.

5. In a folding boat,-a pair of elongated bottom members flexibly connected longitudinally along their adjacent side edges, two elongated side members flexibly connected to the outwardly disposed longitudinal edges of the bottom members, the side members each being foldable upon its associated bottom member, a plurality of rigid frame members interposed between the bottom and side members for maintaining them in unfolded position, a cowl detachably secured to the forward ends of the side members, the said cowl having a plurality of sections foldable one upon another, and closure means for the rear end of the boat.

6. In a folding boat, a pair of elongated bottom members flexibly connected longitudinally along their adjacent side edges, two elongated side members flexibly connected to the outwardly disposed longitudinal edges of the bottom members, the side members each being foldable against its associated bottom member, a plurality of rigid frame members for holding the side and bottom members in unfolded positions, means closing the rear end of the boat, a plurality of foldable joined sections detachably mounted on the forward end of the side members, the said sections forming a cowl extending over the forward end of the boat, and a rigid member arranged inside the boat for holding the joined sections in unfolded concave formation.

7. In a fo ding boat, a pair of elongated bottom members flexibly connected longitudinally along their adjacent inner side edges, two elongated side members flexibly connected to the outer edges of the bottom members, the said bottom members be ng arranged to form a pointed bow, a plurality of ri id frame members interposed between the bottom and side members for holding them in unfolded positions, a plurality of joined foldable sect ons forming a pointed cowl extending rearwardly from the pointed bow and arran ed to overlie the forward interior portion of the boat, means for detachablv secur ng the lateral ed es of the cowl to the upper exposed edges of the forward ends of the side and bottom members, rigid means for normally holding the joined sections of the cowl in unfolded relation when they are in extended positions-overlying the forward interior portion of the boat, and means connected to the side and bottom members for enclosing the rear end of the boat.

8. In a folding boat a pair of elongated bottom members flexibly connected longitudinally along their adjacent inner side edges, two elongated side members flexibly connected to the outer edges of the bottom members, the said bottom members being arranged to form a pointed bow, a plurality of rigid frame members interposed between the side and bottom members for maintaining them in unfolded positions, a plurality of joined foldable flexible sections forming a pointed cowl extending rearwardly from the pointed bow and arranged to overlie the forward interior portion of the boat,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Coughtry Aug. 19, 1879 Friet et al Jan. 24, 1928 Hudson Oct, 27, 1931 Wilson May 14, 1935 Randrup Oct. 1, 194,6 

